–Long Post–
Hey everyone! First, thank you to this community. Reading through deal breakdowns, calculators, and credit tier discussions helped me more than anything else on the internet. I’m posting my numbers and approach in case it helps the next person.
This Integra purchase ended up being a full-circle moment for me (my first car was a ’99 Integra my late grandmother left me with only ~39k miles on it). When I saw the new Integra come back, I knew I had to have it again.
Details:
- Deal (true sign and drive)
- 2025 Acura Integra A-Spec Tech
- Liquid Carbon Metallic/Ebony
- 36 months / 12k miles
- $0 DAS
- $508/mo (tax included)
- MSRP: $39,795
- Discount: $3,500
- Incentives: $2,000
- MF honored at buy rate after pushback
- Manually moved to Tier 1
Approach / Strategy:
Separating test drive from negotiation: I intentionally did not test drive at the same dealer I intended to negotiate with. It prevented emotional attachment to their unit and removed one subtle leverage point.
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Calling around ahead of time: Most dealers refused to send written quotes, but I secured one from a different store. One competitor number is often enough to shift posture.
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Negotiating MSRP, not payment: I didn’t discuss monthly payment until MSRP, discount, MF, RV, incentives, and fees were defined. Payment discussions are typically where silent profit returns.
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Knowing MF/RV ahead of time: Sales initially presented a marked-up MF and implied it was fixed. Once I asked them to honor the Acura Financial buy rate, the conversation changed quickly.
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Manual Tier 1 review: They attempted to place me in Tier 2 automatically. I asked for a manual review. Approved. Many buyers don’t know this lever exists.
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Removing add-ons: The unit had mats and nano-ceramic coating listed as add-ons. I explained that neither offered meaningful value to me as a lessee, and I refused to pay for them. Prior to visting the dealership, I urged the salesperson to send me a pricing sheet with all add-ons removed. They removed the charges entirely and ultimately threw the mats in at no cost. Most add-ons are high-margin profit padding.
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Reading manufacturer behavior: Acura currently has incentives plus bonus cash on the 2025 Integra. Combined with visible inventory, this suggests they’re making room for updated production. When a manufacturer is moving units, a dealer will often accept thin profit.
Observations:
- Dealers often resist showing updated numbers without a credit pull. Push for transparency.
- Calm body language prevents pressure tactics.
- Manufacturer incentives matter more than sticker price.
- One written competitor quote is enough to reset posture.
- Add-ons are rarely non-negotiable. Push back.
- Payment conversations are where silent profit reappears.
Outcome:
The negotiation ended with a fair deal that felt clean and rational. The staff alternated between impressed and slightly frustrated, which usually means margin was thin. My husband was impressed with how the negotiation was handled, which made it feel even better.
This was my first time leasing and my first time negotiating a vehicle deal. I know some people here do far better, and that’s fine. For me, given where I started, I’m genuinely proud of the result. All credit to the shared knowledge in this community for helping me walk in prepared.
If you see any areas where I could have pushed further, or any missed opportunities, I’m open to constructive feedback. Posting this because this community saved me meaningful money, and transparency is how we help the next person.
Pics attached!
